Joining the board in 2018, Ms. Joanne Kearney is Managing Partner and Co-owner of Smithcom Limited, a boutique reputation management and communications consulting firm. Joanne’s work at Smithcom focuses on transaction communications, issues and crisis management and reputation-building campaigns in the natural resources and capital markets sectors. Philanthropy has always been an important part of Joanne’s professional life, acting as co-chair for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon hosted by the Ireland Funds, Canada since 2014.

Joanne received a kidney transplant at UHN’s Toronto General Hospital after her husband, Brendan Cahill, donated his kidney though the Canadian Blood Services’ Kidney Paired Donation Program at TGH. Joanne and Brendan joined the UHN Transplant Campaign Cabinet in September 2017 and, together with their families, became founding supporters of the Centre for Living Organ Donation at TGH – a world first.

Joanne currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Foundation Board and is a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee, as well as a Board Champion for the Transplant Campaign.